18 14
19MAR FEB 19
THE BELIZE TIMES
MY PERSPECTIVE By Dolores Balderamos Garcia
GO UWG!!!
SERIOUS ABOUT CORRUPTION?? PART II Last week Saturday was an important day ago formy the United Two weeks entry was Women's Group, About the Women's called “Serious Corrupmovement of the People's Unittion??” I focused on an opinion ed Party. PresidentTrevor of theMunroe group piece by Professor of Jamaica, whoconvened is the Executive Tanya Santos what Director of the NGO National Integshe styled a Strategic Planning rity Action.atOn reflection, I realize Meeting Independence Hall, that there is so much more that home of the PUP . About twenneeds to be considered regarding ty-six women participants and the corruption I did not in a few men inscourge. supportive roles my earlier article consider the Unitbrought to fruition a serious ed Nationsand Convention Against Cormorning afternoon session ruption (UNCAC), which Belize has of brainstorming and commitrecently signed on to as the 184th ments for the way forward. country to do so. Herein, I want to Tanya was elected only a discuss briefly the UNCAC, some few months ago as UWG leadmore about Professor Munroe er, and already she is giving off and National Integrity Action, and great and demonstrating as wellvibes the comments of our own her eagerness to shake things Senator Valerie Woods to the Bar up and get the group moving. Association Annual Conference on Partyvery Leader this issue of combatting corJohnny Briceño stopped by ruption. to share hisisideas with us, and UNCAC the international lehe stayed on treaty for a good of gally binding whichdeal State the time as we discussed and Parties (countries) have committed themselves in order to impleplanned ourtofuture. ment measures in I anti-corruption viewed my participation five Prevention, LawI not main as aareas: keynote speaker. Enforcement, International Coopdidn't only want to get up and eration, AssetInstead Recovery, and Techpontificate. I helped to nical Assistance/Information Exlead some of our discussions change. goal ofofUNCAC is the on the The history the United reduction of corruption such inWomen's Group, women as ownfluence trading, money laundering, ing our critical role in national abuse of power, unjust enrichment governance, and identifying our and embezzlement in both the pubgoals and objectives as a vital lic and private sectors. Corruption is arm of our political party. recognized as having far reaching There are two major planks effects in undermining democracy of our deliberations my view. and good governanceinthroughout First, I believe that it is so imthe world. portant for us to sensitize ourThe obvious question three selves after to gender issues. I do months Belize signed UNCAC notwhat believe that women is have we done to beginare to automatically more aware of implement this binding commitsocialto issues than men ment good governance thatare. we We allmade? need Itofeel focus on have surekeenly that the Barrow administration would like the social fabric of our country Belizeans forget alland about this and train to ourselves others commitment, at this time of Bond to appreciate this gender perRestructuring and Budget spective. Similarly, as I Blues. have What did the women teachersleaders strike and said before, do march for in October 2016? Certainnot always bring gender awarely not just for the Deputy to proness to their work. MyPM feeling is file in signing UNCAC and then it all that Tanya and our UWG sisters goes away so that present corrupt who are now leading the charge government ministers and officials need to adopt and incorporate have nothing to worry about. this gender perspective into our I went back to looking at the role and our work. work of National Integrity Action in Secondly, I feel very strongJamaica, and indeed it looks impresly that the United sive. Professor Munroe Women's is a memGroup must not be an ber of Transparencymerely International,
auxiliary to the party itself. Yes, we our part inthat promoting the must globaldo organization works the of the party, but weand are withwork governments, businesses not justtohelpmates to our male citizens stop corruption, abuse of colleagues. The power, bribery andUnited secret Women's deals and to strivemust for a world of corrupGroup be a free strong, indetion. National Integrity Action pendent party arm and we (NIA) must has thea objective of combatting corhave strong and independent ruption in Jamaica on a non-partisan voice. basis. It now to build the To this endworks I was very pleased core of a social movement for inthat the session included worktegrity and good governance along ing groups which discussed and with various goals government and civil formulated and objectives society partners. Look for Professor from this independent and genMunroe's infomercial together with der sensitized point of view. Yes, the excellent commercials/public we have to raise money in order service announcements NIA has to carry on activities and mobilize produced encouraging Jamaicans groups in all districts. And yes, to vigorously fight corruption and there have to be eventslevel. andWe acto build integrity at every tivities. are very good can learnWomen greatly from this in orderat cooperating and jumping into the for us to start taking necessary actasks at hand. PUP women must tions. StayThisEngaged, Camleads meAgitate, to comment paign Contest!!! briefly and on the cogent remarks by Also,Valerie we need to be Senator to the Bar able Asso-to speak quickly and cogently ciation Annual Conference a fewto daysissues ago in ofthe the thepanel day. discussion Public relaon UNCAC. We must complations and visibility willfight be extremely cency, sheAnd said,the with the Analysis formabeneficial. SWOT tion of a roadmap with practical identified crucial factors to be adtargets and timelines as Strengths we take dressed. Some of our on the herculean task ofhistory holdingof include a very proud government accountable bewomen's involvement andtowomgin real implementation of what en leaders and major accomplishit has signed. Thereand must be a ments for women children. straight-forward prioritization exWeaknesses admittedly would be ercise so as to pick “the low-hangat times a lack of continuity in the ing fruit,” a term now being used group's work and the perception to take the obvious and simpler of the party as a whole as needactions that can truly start the proing urgent reform. Opportucessmore of collective action. We must nities, however, are many. We can keep up sustained public pressure use media in spreading that the the social Integrity Commission do the message andbeen Belizeans are the job that it has mandated fed upand of the corrupt business-asto do, insist that the Public Acusual the UDP must administration. countsofCommittee become Threats would have tokeep include functional. We also must up the difficulty a mespressure of forsustaining an Independent Elections andtoBoundaries Comsage of hope a jaded electorate. mission, and wethat must tax However, I feel the fight Opportuevasion and unjust enrichment nities far outweigh the difficulties such as the Vega saga. faced. Ms. UWG Castellanos lamented The is receiving a shot in that there is corruption from top the arm from the new participation to bottom in the Immigration Deof young and dynamic women who partment. have startsleeves makare ready We to roll uptotheir ing a change. I thank Senator Val and to begin taking on the tasks. for her timely intervention, and I The women of the party are more encourage her and everybody to than ready to show that we are get involved, raise our voices and different and better than the other demand tangible measures to put gals and guys. The future does look our money where Faber's mouth positive. saysigning emphatically: “GO was with Ithe of UNCAC in UNITED WOMEN'S GROUP!!! December last year.
2017
DERELICTION OF DUTY: GOB FAILS TO MEET UNESCO DEADLINE AGAIN! For Sale
NOTICE
By Order of the Mortgagee
The Belize Barrier Reef was placed on Scotiabank the List of World Heritage Sites in duly registered under the Companies (Belize) Ltd., a company Act, Chapter of the of Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having Danger in 2009 250 because concerns its registered at Cor. Albert of and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, on the sale, leaseoffice and development hereby gives notice of its intention to mangrove islands, and the absence of aexercise its power of sale as Mortgagee th under a Deedframework of Mortgage made solid regulatory aimed atthe en-14 day of July 2014, between SHENY AZUCENA YUMAN of unique Lot No.values 265 Santa Cruz Village, Stann Creek District, suring its exceptional and Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK remain. Furthermore in 2010, the World (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, Heritage Committee expressed its seriand recorded as Instrument Number LTU-201401262, the said Scotiabank ous concerns about the potential for oil (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first developments within and immediately publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. adjacent to the iconic World Heritage All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full site.particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank Belize’sLtd. Prime Minister agreed with (Belize) UNESCO to a road map called the Degovernment is required to explicitly sired State of Conservation in January SCHEDULE state all the measures it is taking to 2015, to remove the Belize Barrier Reef our 265 onlycomprising World Heritage Site reoff ALL the THAT black piece list. The removal or parcel of would land beinghave Lot No. 832.181 moved from the blacklist. It is not clear square meters signal that government regulations and situate in Santa Cruz Village, Stann Creek District, bounded and described whether the Government is working policies are providing a conducive and as shown by Plan No.for 240 2014 attached Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 240 of atoreport or have completely forgotsupportive environment theofintegrity of 2014 and also delineated on Entry No. 8166 Register No. 29, TOGETHER ten about this important international of the reef. This is especially as the tourbuildings and erections and being thereon. obligation. ismwith andallfishing industries dependstanding on Instead of focusing on ensuring the optimal functioning of Belize’s mathe protection of the reef, the Govrine ecosystems. DATED this 8th day of March, has 2017.been continuing to purernment It a clear act of omission and deresue offshore oil permitting damaging liction of duty to this important national MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP on the islands near the resource, as the Government of Be-Frontdevelopment 91 North Street reef. Multibeam surveys planned for lize has once again failed to submit a City Belize last month in January were cancelled report to UNESCO which was due on Attorneys-at-Law for only after outcry from conservation orFebruary 1st, 2017. This report is called (Belize) Ltd. Scotiabank ganizations and tourism stakeholders. the State Party Report in which the
NOTICE BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between IGNACIO ALBERT MAHUNG JR. of the one part and HRCU of the other part. HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below. ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.
SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 1016.7 square yards being Parcel 535, Block 45 in the King’s Park Registration Section situate at No. 5537 Cor. Princess Margaret Drive and Moguel Street, Belize City, Belize District, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of IGNACIO ALBERT MAHUNG JR. DATED this 7th day of February 2017 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738